Luca was used to riding a horse, but remaining in the saddle for so many hours was not familiar to him, and by mid-day, he was feeling the effects. With his back already feeling a little stiff from the uncomfortable bed he had been given the previous night, added to the aching in his legs, the early morning optimism that things were not quite so bad was quickly fading away. Moreover, his new found patience with Edward was seemingly wearing thin, as the young man appeared adamant about trying to talk to him all the time. Quite happy to ride in peace, Luca had replied where and when he thought appropriate but was fast becoming fed up with the incessant questioning. It was not as if they were friends, or even had anything in common to talk about, yet Edward appeared to want to know everything about him. His likes and dislikes, favourite foods and drinks, which weapons he was familiar with? The list was endless, and Luca had pretty much had enough. Thankfully, Oscar, who was still riding well ahead of the group, hurried back towards them and signalled for them to veer from the track.
Unsure as to why they were doing this, even Edward’s attention was seemingly focused on their reason for doing so. Once off the road and in among some trees, Oscar turned his horse about and trotted towards Lord Oakley, duly stopping and explaining.
“Soldiers coming the other way, my Lord. About fifty in number.”
“Really? Whose colours are they wearing?”
“That’s just it. They aren’t wearing any, so I thought it best to avoid them.”
“Yes, thank you, Oscar, you were right to do so,” Lord Oakley replied, although Luca could tell the man was somewhat puzzled and deep in thought.
Out of sight from those travelling on the road, the group watched on from between the tree trunks as the large column of troops made their way obliviously past. Oscar had been right in his assessment, and as one who was well-schooled in the nobility of the kingdom, it was Luca who spotted a tell-tale sign that suggested where they had originated from. However, having been told to remain silent until the soldiers had passed them by, he bided his time before giving them his findings. Lord Oakley appeared to want to make sure they had passed well by before making any sign he was ready to return back up to the main track.
“I wonder who they belong to father,” Samuel said saying the same thing they were probably all thinking.
As the group emerged from the trees, and back onto the track Luca thought it time to divulge what he knew. Evidently, even as the youngest among them, his education in such matters was far beyond any of theirs.
“I know where they are from,” he announced, waiting to make sure he got their attention before proceeding.
Lord Oakley duly pulled his horse to a stop and asked Oscar to wait before moving ahead again.
“Please, Sire,” the man said waving a hand forward as if asking for him to speak.
“They were Endallen. Soldiers of Lord Elthan’s house,” Luca said looking around at the faces to watch for their reaction.
“Really? How could you tell that?” Samuel asked.
“Some of them were carrying long-bladed spears. Only the Endallen cavalry carry those. We all use the short bladed ones,” Luca said giving them the reasoning behind his answer.
“Wow, I never knew that. Did you father?” Samuel replied, seemingly impressed with Luca’s knowledge.
“No, I didn’t. Though if they are Lord Elthan’s men, one has to ask why are they are in Brenthalin lands, and not showing their colours?”
Luca had thought the same thing himself, although being as he had no answer to that particular question had not mentioned it. Still, he had shown his superior knowledge and felt somewhat buoyed by his achievement.
“We must be careful. Oscar lead on again, but remain vigilant,” Lord Oakley asked his man-at-arms.
After stopping only briefly at a stream to allow the horses some rest and water, Luca was just glad to able to stretch his legs. Feeling as though he had ridden for far too long already, he wasn’t looking forward to spending the rest of the day travelling. However, being as Lord Oakley had already explained that they would not be stopping again until they reached some place called Newton, Luca braced himself for an afternoon of discomfort. Providing none of them wanted to talk he felt he might be able to manage, although got the horrible suspicion that Edward would want to continue with his relentless enquiries. Having only an apple and a drink of water for lunch, Luca was already feeling hungry and thinking about what strange food lay ahead for the evening meal. Was it going to be another Inn they would stop at, or perhaps somewhere much grander? Maybe one of the minor lords that occupied the land of Brenthellin would allow them to stay. After all, technically at least, they were now his lands, and should he turn up at any of their homes seeking refuge they should take him in and cater for his needs.
Luca was pondering on the idea as they rode. Perhaps he didn’t need to go all the way to Scarwood with Lord Oakley. Any number of the minor nobility would surely see he was kept safe and looked after until all this mess was sorted out. With his sister Elysia taking the throne, for now at least, he was sure she would want to ensure his safe return when the city was once again deemed a safe place to be. Perhaps that's why Lord Elthan had troops running around the countryside? Searching for those cultists that had been responsible for infiltrating the palace guard and killing his parents. The more he thought about it, the more Luca was convinced it all made perfect sense. The only problem now was how to explain to Lord Oakley?
With the sun lowering in the sky and the air once more becoming a little cooler, Luca thought to make his move. Having run the idea over and over in his mind, it was surely better for him to stay with members of his own house than with Lord Oakley. Taking a deep breath, Luca nudged his horse forward until it trotted alongside the nobleman’s own creature. Taking a deep breath, Luca fired off his request so quickly that Lord Oakley had to ask him to repeat it again.
“I think it would be better for me to stay in Brenthellin lands. Perhaps with one of the lesser nobles?” Luca said, this time speaking a little more slowly.
However, if he thought Lord Oakley was merely going to agree with him, Luca was very much mistaken.
“Ordinarily I would concur, Sire. Unfortunately, I’m not sure who to trust anymore.”
“You think those on my father’s own lands would betray him?” Luca asked somewhat angrily.
Lord Oakley kept his own voice much calmer, despite Luca evidently taking offence at what was being suggested.
“If, as you say those soldier’s we saw earlier belonged to Lord Elthan, then you must ask yourself where they have been hiding? From the direction they were travelling they had clearly come from the south. Ask yourself where they have been or what they have been doing?”
Luca paused for a few moments before speaking, allowing his mind to think of what was being said before giving an answer. He supposed it would look somewhat out of character for another Nobleman’s soldiers to be running around the lands of the king, especially without any noticeable identification, and certainly not without the king’s permission to do so.
Luca sighed quite loudly. ”Fair enough!” He said, finally admitting he had no reasonable explanation. While he doubted it unlikely that any of the lesser nobility from Brenthellin would conspire against the royal family, he had to admit there was a chance. Being as Lord Oakley wasn’t willing to take that chance, it seemed Luca would have little alternative but to head to Scarwood with him.
“When I get back home, I can send messages to the other nobles and find out what is going on, Sire. If everything seems safe for you to do so, I will happily return you home and see you crowned King.”
“Very well. Thank you, Lord Oakley,” Luca said, trying to remain upbeat about the situation but evidently falling well short.
With the light starting to fade, and Luca feeling sore and mentally drained, he almost didn’t care where they stayed that night. Oscar, who had led the group for their entire journey, came trotting slowly back and informed his master that
the town of Newton was just over the next hill. Already resigned to the fact that he would be eating sub-par food and staying in some smelly, dirty pit of a tavern, filled with rowdy commoners, Luca just allowed himself to go with the flow. As they moved along the track, it widened slightly, the closer they got to the town. Although still only hardened mud, it was not quite as rutted as some he had ridden on earlier that day. There were tell-tale signs that some form of maintenance had been performed on the track as he noticed several holes that had been filled, perhaps a sign that the place was not as bad as he had first presumed.
The homes on the outskirts of the town appeared similar to those in most of the places they had passed through during the day. Mainly single storey dwellings, although there appeared to be more timber ones than stone. Perhaps a sign that this town was poorer? Or just that timber was a much more plentiful resource in these parts? There were a few scruffy looking children playing beside one of the homes, stopping just momentarily from their games to watch as the newcomers slowly trotted their horses into town. A couple of women chatting gave them no more than a curious glance, and a man pushing a handcart never even raised his head to look their way. If it was anonymity that Lord Oakley wanted for Luca, it appeared that this far from the capital he had got it. As far as the people of Newton were concerned, Luca was just another traveller passing through.
Luca was beginning to think that they were going right through the town as he spotted the last of the houses approaching. Beyond were just more fields and forested areas, and for a moment he thought that this was not the place they were stopping in. However, Oscar pulled over to the side of the main track, veering left between two timber homes and coming to a halt beside a stone built cottage. Luca was somewhat confused as to why they were stopping at somebody’s house, and although it was one of the larger in the town, it would surely not be big enough for them all. Just single storey and constructed from the local light coloured stone, it was the sort of place Luca thought a slightly better off member of the community might live in. With a small set of outbuildings, which he assumed would be used to house the horses, it had a small garden area to the front and rear.
“Our stop for the night, Sire” Lord Oakley announced proudly.
“Right, okay,” Luca replied slowly and gingerly slipping down from his horse. With legs that ached and inner thighs that were probably red-raw his initial steps were somewhat comical.
“I’ll take your horse, Sire,” Samuel said seemingly not having the same movement problems that Luca was having.
“Thank you,” Luca replied, grimacing as he tried to walk towards the main door.
Painted a bright blue with blooming flowers positioned either side of it, the door was somewhat smaller than most he had seen. Perhaps it was just those at the palace that were much bigger in size, although Luca thought Samuel and Edward would likely have to stoop slightly to avoid banging their heads on the way in through this one. Lady Oakley entered first, and although Luca went to follow, it was Nerina who went in next, almost barging her way through to get in before him. Ordinarily, Luca might have commented on the rudeness, but he felt far too tired and sore to bother.
Inside it was quite gloomy, not helped by the fact that most of the furniture was made from dark wood and the windows only small. The floor was bare timber floorboards although a red patterned rug had been laid out on the floor beside the stone fireplace. The walls were a beige colour, and although one or two pictures were hanging on the walls, they did little to brighten the place up.
“This is owned by my cousin,” Lady Oakley announced as she moved Into the kitchen area of the house and started lighting the stove.
“She allows us to use it whenever we’re passing through, as she doesn’t use it much now.”
Luca feigned to show a little interest in what was being said, but in truth, he couldn’t care less whose house it was.
It seemed Edward’s guarding duties did not require him to shadow Luca all the time, as he was still outside dealing with his horse. Not that Luca minded, in truth it was nice to be without him even if it was likely to only be a few minutes. Although not asked to do so, Luca took it upon himself to sit down in one of the three cushioned chairs beside the unlit fireplace. The fact it wasn’t burning didn’t bother him, the house wasn’t cold, and in truth, he wouldn’t care if it was. Sighing heavily Luca thought this was probably as low as he had ever been in his young life. His entire world had been tipped on its head, and the luxurious lifestyle he was accustomed to already seemed a distant past.
Without realising, Luca must have fallen asleep in the chair, and the next thing he recalled was being carried by Edward and Lord Oakley and placed gently down on a bed. Although stirring and aware of what was going on, Luca merely groaned and moved a little, as he felt a blanket being placed over him. While his mind was still sleepy, there was a part of him that wanted to get up and move, but alas the battle of wills was won by the overwhelming desire to sleep. Having no supper or even caring about how comfortable and clean the bed would be, Luca could fight it no more. Exhausted and sore, his mind faded from the world into the realm of dreams and fantasies.
Chapter 6. Scarwood.
Luca awoke to the sound of birds from somewhere outside the window. Although still aching his body felt much better than it had the previous evening, as it took a few moments for his mind to realise where he was. A room with three beds, one of which he currently occupied. While the other two were currently empty, he could assume by the sheets that somebody had slept in both.
“Ah, you’re awake,” came the now all too familiar sound of Edward’s voice. Luca looked over to the far side of the room and spotted the young man sitting in a chair drinking from a cup.
“Come on, get up and dressed, the others are already having breakfast.”
Luca fidgeted a little, stretching out the knots in his aching muscles before he threw back the blanket on his bed. His skin suddenly felt cold, and it took a few moments for him to realise he was completely naked. Quickly as he could, he pulled the blanket back over to cover his modesty.
“Where are my clothes?”
“Oh, Lord Oakley and I undressed you when we put you to bed. They’re on the chair over there,” Edward said pointing with his free hand to another chair just a few feet away from the bed he was in.
“Did you not think to leave something on?” Luca asked.
Edward just chuckled, “Don’t worry. You’ve not got anything I don’t have. You’re just lucky Lady Oakley and Nerina didn’t undress you.”
Not usually one to be so embarrassed about dressing and undressing in front of others, it was the fact that somebody had done it for him without him knowing that annoyed Luca more than anything. In the palace, it was often the case that some of the servants were present when he dressed, sometimes even when he bathed. Happy that it was only Edward in the room, Luca made a huffing sound and threw back the blanket again, before standing up and walking slowly over to the chair to get his clothes. Feeling the morning chill on his bare skin, he hurriedly put the same things he had worn the previous day, seemingly no longer bothering about where they had been or how clean they were. In the palace, he would have worn freshly laundered clothes every day, yet he had already learned that others didn’t appear quite so bothered about doing so.
“We should get to Garley by mid-day,” Edward explained as he got to stand up, before following Luca out of the bedroom.
“Good Morning, Sire,” Lady Oakley said on seeing him emerge from through the doorway. “Slept well I hope?” she said before gesturing for him to take a seat at the table beside Samuel and Nerina.
“I’ve cooked you some eggs and a couple of sausages,” she added placing a plate down in front of him.
“There’s toasted bread there, and butter. Oh and my cousin had left this here also, and I thought you might like some.”
“Tea?” Luca asked surprised at what he was being offered.
Lady Oakley nodded with a grin o
n her face that stretched from one side to the other.
While the food was in no way up to the standard he was used to in the palace, he had to admit it far exceeded anything he had expected.
An unexpected knock came at the door while they were seated at the table. It was clearly something Lord Oakley had not been anticipating, and the next few seconds saw he, Samuel and Edward getting into a flap, the latter of which had already drawn his sword from the scabbard in anticipation of trouble. After checking everybody was ready, Lord Oakley, with his hand on the hilt of his own sword, slowly opened the door. With everyone on edge, none more so than Luca who had discreetly shuffled his way to the far side of the table, the door was closed again. Lord Oakley turned to face those in the room with a piece of paper in his hand, “Messenger from Garley,” he announced.
Luca gazed around and watched as everyone seemed to relax as Edward slipped his sword back into its sheath, before turning back to Lord Oakley wandering what had been so important that a rider had thought it necessary to travel from the place they were heading to anyway.
After waiting somewhat impatiently for the man to read the note, Luca listened with interest as Lord Oakley explained the latest developments. Apparently, the palace had sent messenger birds to all the major nobles requesting they all swear allegiance to the new queen.
The Broken Kingdom Page 6